Over The Iron
Bridge
By
KAOS Krew
Over The Iron Bridge is the brand-new album from veteran
London, UK Hip Hop trio the KAOS Krew. The album was released on 9th
March through Original Rockerz Records.
KAOS Krew were formed back in 1985 and consist of Jonie D,
TJ Chill and Peek-A-Boo. They would release their first album titled Mind
Revolution in 2020, which was closely followed by the sophomore release,
Ignorance Is No Defence in 2021. They also have the distinction of being the
first Hip Hop group to record at the fabled Abbey Road Studios. Now, almost
three years later they are back with their third album and, unlike the previous
releases which saw varied production, Over The Iron Bridge is produced solely
by Jonie D.
With all three of the albums receiving radio play, it speaks
volumes for the creativity and longevity of the London group.
So, join me as I take you through album…
Nilton Hornz starts things of in style with pounding
drums, horns and strings giving something raise your energy and get your head
nodding. It is something to open the album with its longest track, and there is
so much packed in here it is almost beyond interpretation as you just want to
listen but, there is much here that shows the foundations of the group and why
they have remained, doing what they do for so long. From the struggles of life
to the power of words and the family bond, if you really want to get it then
live in the moment with the words of the KAOS Krew. From such a powerful
opening statement we move on to Wall Street Greed, more boom bap drums
mix with strings and more to keep that uplifting Hip Hop sound booming. The
title of the track says a lot and it gives you a idea of what is coming. Her
the focus is on the greed of the rich and powerful, the bankers and the corporations,
at a time when people are struggling to heat their homes, pay the bills and
food banks are at an all time high, there is still money to finance wars and
line the pockets of the rich with bonus payments. There is no balance in the country,
and we are the ones who pay the price. A heavy drum beat pounds along with a
mariachi style guitar to create a reflective vibe on Quiet KAOS. This
one finds the guys focusing words, the words that you say. Everything you say
has the potential to say more than simple words can say, so it’s all about
choosing your words carefully and always speak from the heart, when you do
this, you show your authentic self and everything you say is the truth.
Love (is the foundation) grabs your attention with
drums, strings and a heavy bass vibe that periodically vibrates your whole
body. The message in this one is simple really, living in a society, a world as
we experience every day, there is a lot that can test us and push us to places
and states of mind that are not who we truly are but, when we change are focus
and bring it back to love and remember that love is the foundation of all we
do, then the darkness can never win out. Drums pound your ears with a hint of
guitars and cuts, get you head nodding on Nice and Decent. Here we have
the guys bouncing off each other with a slick display of their vocal talents.
With all the deep messages, it is nice to have the odd track that just screams
fun-loving upbeat Hip Hop and the guys lay it down hard on this one. The drums
and keys of Serious Times have an element of a ragga vibe that flips
things a little while keeping you moving. The guys reflect that ragga vibe in
their lyrical style, all the time looking at the times we live in. The 2020’s
have given rise to some serious subject matter getting more focus, from
inequality, hate crimes, poverty and seen governments turn their backs on what
is clearly genocidal wars. This is what we see around us everyday and the Kaos
Krew open up on what it is to live in the here and now.
Look At My Face has a mix of drums, bass and keys
that brings a deep vibe that seems to seep into your very soul. The added
dimension of the added soulful vocal adds an almost dreamy element. I get a
real feeling, with this one, of how each experience we go through in life, as
individuals, shapes who we are and can take its toll on our facial features. It
feels like, if you really want to know what someone has been through, then you
just need to look at their face, as this will tell you a thousand words of the
path they have walked, what they have seen and what they feel. Motoscaf,
seems to be all about the bassline, with the drums and strings there to add to
the atmosphere. This brings a vibe that fires up the adrenaline in a different
way and doesn’t necessarily get your head nodding straight away but definitely
gets you moving. Not gonna lie that this one took me a while but, it made me
feel that this one of those that will get the crowds jumping at shows and is
all about the KAOS Krew doing just that, lighting up the shows, the airwaves,
and the speakers. I might have missed the mark here but, you get my thinking
right…
Soul Style gives us a dope sound that takes us back
to early days of Hip Hop with a drumbeat, bass, guitars and slick cuts, it
really took me back to the eighties sound. KAOS Krew really reflect that
eighties vibe in their lyrics that have that display that uplifting, just for
fun style of rapping. This is one of those you can put on and really nod along
to and reminds you of that feel-good sound that got the party rocking. The
penultimate track is Drop It Like Last Time, another head nod vibe with
a sound that almost has a middle eastern vibe to it. There is also a throw back
element to this track too, like the eighty’s vibe has filtered in and crossed
over into the present. That comes from the fact that this one looks at how
things are now and how they were, all the things that inspire and influence the
words of the KAOS Krew. Life brings a lot of experiences that we draw on as we grow,
and the guys really pepper this one with how things have changed over the
years. We are now into the final track of the album, Magic Number, which
keeps the energy going with a heavy drum beat alongside bass, horns, and hand
drums, all this brings a vibe that has elements of that Soundsystem sound. As
you listen to this one you get the sense that, reading between the lines, this
one is all about lifting people up, giving the listener something to grab on to
help them lift themselves up. The magic number just happens to be three,
because there are three of the KAOS Krew and the magic is what the music can
do, and the Krew are the conduit to bring it too you…
I have to say that Over The Iron Bridge is an album
that not only speaks on important issues and entertains the listener but, it
also gives the listener something else that might not be immediately
understood. This is an album that is infused with an underlying tone of
positive energy and uplifting vibes. To uplift you have to show people why they
need that energy and so you open their eyes to the world around them and what
is going on, and then you interspace that with words that create the fun and
plant the seed of that uplifting nature; then, by wrapping it all in a sound
that keeps the energy flowing and the body moving, you create a whole that
leaves the listener feeling positive and uplifted. I get this as I was
struggling today to get motivated but, the sound kept me going and helped me
get through.
I feel grateful for the music of KAOS Krew planning that
seed in me. There were times when I struggled to interpret their word but, the
more I listened, the more I relaxed and just allowed my impressions to flow,
not saying I nailed every track but, I did what I always do and brought you my
interpretation of what ach track made me feel. The flows, styles and the
intelligent nature of the rhymes really stand out here and are the kind of
tracks you will need to listen to again and again. Jonie D has done a superb
job with the production by creating something that is rooted in the foundations
of real Hip Hop but, also has elements other sounds that have inspired him
along the way, much the same vibe you get from the lyrics as well.
What you do come away with from this album is a sense of
being uplifted and those positive vibes. Yes, these guys pull no punched in
laying out their experiences but, that is what gives this that air of
authenticity and relatability. In fact, in the press release for this one TJ
Chill says, “You need this in your life” and I have to say that I am not gonna
argue with him on that point. This is UK Hip Hop at its best but, more than
that, this is what Hip Hop is about…
Over The Iron Bridge is available now from Original Rockerz
Records on digital outlets and a limited CD run too.
My thanks to the KAOS Krew for the chance to review this
one.
See ya next time,
Steve.
LINKS
Get Over The Iron Bridge on Bandcamp Here:
https://kaoskrewldn.bandcamp.com/album/over-the-iron-bridge-3
KAOS Krew Socials and streaming:
https://www.instagram.com/kaoskrewldn/
https://soundcloud.com/originalrockerzenq
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7HjWi9LQEZsEQ0GNw4lNFT
https://twitter.com/KAOSKrewLDN
Original Rockerz YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@originalrockerzuk/featured
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